Chamber and committees

Scottish Ministers have been proactive to visit those communities affected by recent flooding events. I have visited a number of farm businesses and engaged directly with NFU Scotland. The agriculture wet weather group has been a valuable forum for engaging with industry to understand impacts and appropriate actions. On 9 January 2016 the First Minister announced a support package that will help land managers through:

Providing funding to local authorities to allow them to make payments of £1,500 for households, businesses, charities and community groups affected by flooding. Local authorities which have suffered the most damage as a result of the flooding have been allocated a share of the fund, however, people in any part of Scotland who have suffered flood damage as a result of the severe weather can apply for a grant, with the Scottish Government meeting the cost.

A flat rate grant payment of £3,000 to businesses in any part of Scotland where there is evidence that their ability to trade has been severely impacted by the flooding in December 2015 and January 2016. The grant will be a one-off payment to offset costs which cannot be covered by existing insurance, for example clean-up costs, materials and exceptional costs to help the business restore trade, such as marketing and promotion. This will be funded by the Scottish Government in addition to the local authority allocations.

An Agricultural Floodbank Restoration Grant Scheme of up to £1 million for the farming community to seek financial support to restore damaged floodbanks.

In addition on 11 January 2016 I announced a number of practical measures to help farmers affected by recent flooding, including flexibility on greening and cross compliance rules, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency taking a pragmatic approach to getting things back to normal, and the publication of flooding restoration ‘top tips’.